July 24, 2024 - New Castle, PA
Governor Josh Shapiro joined Pennsylvania Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys, members of the General Assembly and local pharmacists in Lawrence County to highlight the bipartisan reforms that increased oversight of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), the hidden "middlemen" of the pharmaceutical supply chain who largely go unchecked and unregulated as they negotiate the price of prescription drugs, passing the costs down to Pennsylvanians. Last week, Governor Shapiro signed House Bill (HB) 1993 into law, providing stronger protections for commercially insured patients in the Commonwealth and increasing regulatory oversight of PBMs. "For too long, we've had PBMs - these unseen middlemen - manipulating and profiting off of the pharmaceutical system at the expense of consumers and our community pharmacies," said Governor Shapiro. "They've been failing to significantly reduce prices, unilaterally changing the terms of contracts with pharmacies, and picking and choosing who wins and who loses. These predatory practices have been screwing over the good people of Pennsylvania, forcing dozens of local independent pharmacies to close in the process. But my Administration and lawmakers from both parties came together to do something about it and put a stop to PBMs' unsavory practices. We've shown that we can work together and get stuff done, giving Pennsylvanians transparency and more peace of mind."Speakers Include:Governor Josh ShapiroMichael Humphreys, Pennsylvania Insurance CommissionerSen. Michele BrooksRep. Valerie GaydosRep. Jessica BenhamRon McDermott, The Hometown Pharmacy partnerJack Melvin, The Hometown Pharmacy customer
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